The role of early-career researchers in the future of global health research
Authors: Soichiro Saeki
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2023)

The paramount objective of global health research is to eliminate disparities in health outcomes, with the primary target now not only restricted to individuals in low-income and middle-income countries but also the rest of the world.1Abimbola S On the meaning of global health and the role of global health journals.Int Health. 2018; 10: 63-65Crossref PubMed Scopus (46) Google Scholar However, as it has been widely acknowledged, disparities in the execution of research in global health persist to this day.2The Lancet Global HealthThe future of global health research, publishing, and practice.Lancet Glob Health. 2023; 11: e170Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar I believe that one of the reasons for these disparities is the scarcity of opportunities for early-career researchers who are interested in global health, particularly due to insufficient funding. Although G20 countries allocated US$105 billion in global funding for global health research from 2000 to 2017,3Head MG Brown RJ Newell M-L Scott JAG Batchelor J Atun R The allocation of US$105 billion in global funding from G20 countries for infectious disease research between 2000 and 2017: a content analysis of investments.Lancet Glob Health. 2020; 8: e1295-e1304Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar this research is largely under-resourced, with less than a tenth of global spending on health research directed towards diseases or conditions that account for most of the global burden of disease. 4Morel CM Neglected diseases: under-funded research and inadequate health interventions.EMBO reports. 2003; 4: S35-S38Crossref Scopus (50) Google Scholar Such a lack of funding not only hinders global health research itself but also reduces opportunities for early-career researchers to participate in such research. Hence, when discussing the future of global health research, I am pleased to discover that The Lancet Global Health will be welcoming early-career researchers as guest editors.2The Lancet Global HealthThe future of global health research, publishing, and practice.Lancet Glob Health. 2023; 11: e170Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar The involvement of early-career researchers in reviewing and editing can yield many advantages, including the cultivation of skills and the acquisition of experience in these processes.5Dance A Why early-career researchers should step up to the peer-review plate.Nature. 2022; 602: 169-171Crossref Scopus (2) Google Scholar This involvement can also help early-career researchers to develop their ability to involve young people in research by empowering them to investigate topics related to their own personal experiences. As young people will be influential in shaping future society, increased youth engagement and participation might lead to more effective and sustainable solutions for global health issues in the long term. Therefore, I believe that the editorial experiences provided by The Lancet Global Health should be continued even after the launch of the special issue. To reduce disparities in health outcomes, discoveries in global health research should be incorporated into health-care policy, and thus it is crucial to improve the communication competency of early-career investigators through editorial engagement. Young people will bear the responsibility for the future of global health, and it is hoped that the efforts of this journal will provide a basis for future global health by cultivating early-career investigators around the world. I declare no competing interests.